Biological activity of a genetically modified BMP-2 variant with inhibitory activity

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Alterations of the binding epitopes of bone morphogenetic protein-2 (BMP-2) lead to a modified interaction with the ectodomains of BMP receptors. In the present study the biological effect of a BMP-2 double mutant with antagonistic activity was evaluated in vivo.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>Equine-derived collagenous carriers were loaded with recombinant human BMP-2 (rhBMP-2) in a well-known dose to provide an osteoinductive stimulus. The study was performed in a split animal design: carriers only coupled with rhBMP-2 (control) were implanted into prepared cavities of lower limb muscle of rats, specimens coupled with rhBMP-2 as well as BMP-2 double mutant were placed into the opposite limb in the same way. After 28 days the carriers were explanted, measured radiographically and characterized histologically.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>As expected, the BMP-2 loaded implants showed a typical heterotopic bone formation. The specimens coupled with both proteins showed a significant decreased bone formation in a dose dependent manner.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>The antagonistic effect of a specific BMP-2 double mutant could be demonstrated in vivo. The dose dependent influence on heterotopic bone formation by preventing rhBMP-2 induced osteoinduction suggests a competitive receptor antagonism.</p

Structural changes to resorbable calcium phosphate bioceramic aged <i>in vitro</i>

This work investigates the effect of mammalian cell culture conditions on 3D printed calcium phosphate scaffolds. The purpose of the studies presented was to characterise the changes in scaffold properties in physiologically relevant conditions. Differences in crystal morphologies were observed between foetal bovine serum-supplemented media and their unsupplemented analogues, but not for supplemented media containing tenocytes. Scaffold porosity was found to increase for all conditions studied, except for tenocyte-seeded scaffolds. The presence of tenocytes on the scaffold surface inhibited any increase in scaffold porosity in the presence of extracellular matrix secreted by the tenocytes. For acellular conditions the presence or absence of sera proteins strongly affected the rate of dissolution and the distribution of pore diameters within the scaffold. Exposure to high sera protein concentrations led to the development of significant numbers of sub-micron pores, which was otherwise not observed. The implication of these results for cell culture research employing calcium phosphate scaffolds is discussed

Influence of low-intensity pulsed ultrasound on proliferation and differentiation pattern of osteoblastic cells in vitro

Niederenergetischer gepulster Ultraschall wird seit mehreren Jahren erfolgreich zur Therapie von verzögert heilenden Frakturen und Pseudarthrosen eingesetzt. Die Wirksamkeit wurde anhand verschiedener klinischer Studien demonstriert, die genauen Wirkmechanismen sind weniger gut verstanden. Ziel dieser Untersuchung war es, den Einfluss von Ultraschall auf verschiedene mesenchymale Zellen anhand von Zellkulturen zu untersuchen. Die Parameter Zellproliferation bzw. Zellvitalität, Zellmorphologie, Aktivität der Alkalischen Phosphatase und Genexpressionsmuster wurden betrachtet. Bei den verwendeten Zellen handelte es sich um primäre Zellen aus humanem spongiösen Knochen („humane Beckenkammzellen“) sowie um die murine Osteoblasten-Linie MC3T3-E1 und um die murine Fibroblasten-Linie L929. Die Ultraschallbehandlung dauerte 20 Minuten täglich und wurde an bis zu sechs aufeinanderfolgenden Tagen durchgeführt. Keine der drei untersuchten Zellarten zeigte eine Änderung des Proliferationsverhaltens bzw. der Zellvitalität. Für Veränderungen der Zellmorphologie sowie der Mineralisierung gab es keinen Anhalt. Bei den humanen Beckenkammzellen wurde eine Steigerung der spezifischen Alkalische-Phosphatase-Aktivität beobachtet, nach sechsmaliger Ultraschallbehandlung betrug sie 143% der Aktivität der Kontrollkulturen. Die MC3T3-E1-Osteoblasten wiesen keine Veränderung ihrer Alkalische-Phosphatase-Aktivität auf, die L929-Fibroblasten exprimierten zu keinem Zeitpunkt, auch nicht unter Ultraschall, dieses Enzym. Weiterhin wurde das Genexpressionsmuster der humanen Beckenkammzellen mittels mRNA-Isolierung und RT-PCR untersucht. Als Markergene dienten Alkalische Phosphatase, Typ-I-Kollagen, Osteokalzin, BMP-2, BMP-4, BMP-7, COX-2 und HSP 47. Abgesehen von BMP-7 wurden alle der genannten Gene sowohl in der Ultraschall- als auch in der Kontrollgruppe exprimiert. Eine qualitative Änderung des Expressionsmusters unter Ultraschall kann somit ausgeschlossen werden. Die semiquantitative Analyse ergab eine erhöhte Expressionsrate von BMP-2 und BMP-4, während die anderen Marker praktisch unverändert blieben.Low-intensity pulsed ultrasound is used for treatment of prolonged fracture healing, non-unions and osteoradionecrosis as well. Its effectiveness has been demonstrated in animal experiments and various clinical studies. The aim of this investigation was to evaluate the influence of ultrasound (30 mW/cm2, 1,5 MHz) on primary human osteoblastic cells in culture. Cells were exposed to ultrasound for twenty minutes on six subseqent days. Cell proliferation and cell viability, cell morphology, alkaline phosphatase activity and gene expression patterns (RT-PCR) were analyzed each day. No changes in cell proliferation and –viability and no morphologic changes were found. The activity of alkaline phosphatase was increased significantly to 143% of the activity of the unsonicated control cultures after six treatments. Analysis of gene expression showed an increase for BMP-2 and BMP-4. There was no evidence for upregulation of the stress protein HSP47. We conclude that low-intensity pulsed ultrasound has no harmful effect on primary human osteoblastic cells in vitro. The data support the clinical findings of accelerated fracture healing under the influence of low intensity ultrasound

Evaluation of a new BMP-2 mutant with antagonistic activity - An in vivo study in rats -

Bone Morphogenetic Proteins sind in eine Vielzahl von physiologischen Wachstums-und Entwicklungsvorgängen involviert und an verschiedenen unphysiologischen bzw. pathologischen Prozessen insbesondere im Bereich des Skelettsystems beteiligt. Ein gezielter Eingriff in die BMP-Signalkaskade könnte denkbare therapeutische Ansätze liefern. In der vorliegenden experimentellen Arbeit wurde die Wirksamkeit eines neuartigen Antagonisten am BMP-Rezeptor, der BMP-2-Doppelmutante A34D/D53A, in vivo evaluiert. Hierzu diente ein heterotopes Implantationsmodell (Skelettmuskulatur) sowie ein orthotopes Defektmodell (Kalottentrepanationsdefekt) bei Ratten. Für die eingesetzten Proteine wurde equines EXKK als Träger- und Freisetzungssystem verwendet. Im heterotopen Implantatlager diente zugesetztes BMP-2 in einer gut evaluierten Dosis als zu unterdrückender osteogener Stimulus. Im orthotopen Defektmodell (Defekt nicht kritischer Größe) sollte der Einfluss auf die physiologischerweise ablaufende knöcherne Defektregeneration ohne weiteren Zusatz von Morphogenen untersucht werden. Bezüglich der heterotopen Implantation konnte eine signifikante, dosisabhängige Hemmung der BMP-2-induzierten Osteoneogenese festgestellt werden. Bei dem orthotopen Implantationsmodell war keine Beeinflussung der physiologischen knöchernen Defektregeneration zu verzeichnen. Die Inhibierung eines einzelnen definierten osteogenen Reizes durch BMP-Rezeptorantagonismus konnte somit gut in vivo belegt werden. Im Rahmen der komplexeren physiologischen orthotopen Knochenregeneration mit vermutlich einer Vielzahl beteiligter Wachstumsfaktoren scheint hingegen die Hemmung eines möglichen Teilaspektes der Osteogenese keine ausschlaggebende Rolle zu spielen.The aim of the study was the in vivo evaluation of e new BMP-2 (Bone Morphogenetic Protein 2) double mutant with antagonistic activity. The influence on heterotopic as well as orthotopic bone formation was investigated. Heterotopic bone formation was inhibited in a dose dependend manner, orthotopic bone formation was not reduced in the present experimental setting

GDF-5 can act as a context-dependent BMP-2 antagonist

Background Bone morphogenetic protein (BMP)-2 and growth and differentiation factor (GDF)-5 are two related transforming growth factor (TGF)-β family members with important functions in embryonic development and tissue homeostasis. BMP-2 is best known for its osteoinductive properties whereas GDF-5—as evident from its alternative name, cartilage derived morphogenetic protein 1—plays an important role in the formation of cartilage. In spite of these differences both factors signal by binding to the same subset of BMP receptors, raising the question how these different functionalities are generated. The largest difference in receptor binding is observed in the interaction with the type I receptor BMPR-IA. GDF-5, in contrast to BMP-2, shows preferential binding to the isoform BMPR-IB, which is abrogated by a single amino acid (A57R) substitution. The resulting variant, GDF-5 R57A, represents a “BMP-2 mimic” with respect to BMP receptor binding. In this study we thus wanted to analyze whether the two growth factors can induce distinct signals via an identically composed receptor. Results Unexpectedly and dependent on the cellular context, GDF-5 R57A showed clear differences in its activity compared to BMP-2. In ATDC-5 cells, both ligands induced alkaline phosphatase (ALP) expression with similar potency. But in C2C12 cells, the BMP-2 mimic GDF-5 R57A (and also wild-type GDF-5) clearly antagonized BMP-2-mediated ALP expression, despite signaling in both cell lines occurring solely via BMPR-IA. The BMP-2- antagonizing properties of GDF-5 and GDF-5 R57A could also be observed in vivo when implanting BMP-2 and either one of the two GDF-5 ligands simultaneously at heterotopic sites. Conclusions Although comparison of the crystal structures of the GDF-5 R57A:BMPR-IAEC- and BMP-2:BMPR-IAEC complex revealed small ligand-specific differences, these cannot account for the different signaling characteristics because the complexes seem identical in both differently reacting cell lines. We thus predict an additional component, most likely a not yet identified GDF-5-specific co-receptor, which alters the output of the signaling complexes. Hence the presence or absence of this component then switches GDF-5′s signaling capabilities to act either similar to BMP-2 or as a BMP-2 antagonist. These findings might shed new light on the role of GDF-5, e.g., in cartilage maintenance and/or limb development in that it might act as an inhibitor of signaling events initiated by other BMPs

Bone regeneration capacity of newly developed spherical magnesium phosphate cement granules

Objectives Magnesium phosphate-based cements begin to catch more attention as bone substitute materials and especially as alternatives for the more commonly used calcium phosphates. In bone substitutes for augmentation purposes, atraumatic materials with good biocompatibility and resorbability are favorable. In the current study, we describe the in vivo testing of novel bone augmentation materials in form of spherical granules based on a calcium-doped magnesium phosphate (CaMgP) cement. Materials and Methods Granules with diameters between 500 and 710 μm were fabricated via the emulsification of CaMgP cement pastes in a lipophilic liquid. As basic material, two different CaMgP formulations were used. The obtained granules were implanted into drill hole defects at the distal femoral condyle of 27 New Zealand white rabbits for 6 and 12 weeks. After explantation, the femora were examined via X-ray diffraction analysis, histological staining, radiological examination, and EDX measurement. Results Both granule types display excellent biocompatibility without any signs of inflammation and allow for proper bone healing without the interposition of connective tissue. CaMgP granules show a fast and continuous degradation and enable fully adequate bone regeneration. Conclusions Due to their biocompatibility, their degradation behavior, and their completely spherical morphology, these CaMgP granules present a promising bone substitute material for bone augmentation procedures, especially in sensitive areas. Clinical Relevance The mostly insufficient local bone supply after tooth extractions complicates prosthetic dental restoration or makes it even impossible. Therefore, bone augmentation procedures are oftentimes inevitable. Spherical CaMgP granules may represent a valuable bone replacement material in many situations

Additional file 8: Table S2. of GDF-5 can act as a context-dependent BMP-2 antagonist

Statistical data from in vivo experiments (calvarial defect/orthotopic model). (DOCX 15 kb

Additional file 9: Table S3. of GDF-5 can act as a context-dependent BMP-2 antagonist

Statistical data from in vivo experiments (hind limb/heterotopic model). (DOCX 16 kb